NESO to develop Strategic Spatial Energy Plan

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has been commissioned by the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments to develop the first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) for Great Britain.

The SSEP will take a holistic approach to national planning for electricity and hydrogen in Great Britain to identify optimal locations for these assets, it said.

The first task will be to develop and consult on the methodology for the SSEP, which will set out how the plan will be produced, with NESO conducting economic modelling to identify potential cost-effective locations for future GB electricity and hydrogen infrastructure, within energy security, decarbonisation, and environmental constraints.

Views from the community will be fed into the modelling, which will influence the outcomes, and the plan will set out several “pathway options” on how the energy system could look in the future.

The SSEP will provide the “high-level blueprint from which we can plan the future of the energy system for the whole of Great Britain”, it said.

The plan will help optimise and accelerate the transition to clean, secure and affordable energy, it said, “by providing greater engagement, consultation and clarity to communities, industry, investors, and consumers on the shape of our future reformed energy system”.

The SSEP will be interlinked with other NESO plans including the Centralised Strategic Network Plan (CSNP) and the Regional Energy Strategic Planner role and the NESO will work closely with other bodies including The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland on the plan.

Kayte O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, NESO said:

“We are delighted to receive this formal commission as NESO to develop this plan and bring together our expertise and that of our partners to develop this critical blueprint for Great Britain’s energy system of the future. 

“By setting out pathway options, engaging across government, the regulator, wider industry, interested parties and with communities as well as exploring the needs at a more zonal and regional level we can then identify where and what type of electricity and storage technologies we need to meet our future demand and decarbonisation ambitions.”

Gus Jaspert, Managing Director, Marine at The Crown Estate, said:

“Taking a coordinated, systems-led approach to our future energy needs will be critical to enabling the energy transition, accelerating the deployment of important renewable technology and protecting nature.

“Our ground-breaking partnership with NESO has already enabled us to bring the first offshore wind leasing round to market with an agreed plan for grid connectivity, linking offshore activity with onshore demand. The SSEP, combined with our Marine Delivery Routemap, presents exciting opportunities for the collaboration needed to support both our energy transition and protection of the marine environment.”

Image from Shutterstock

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